Many of the families I work with struggle with how to talk to their teens about substance use without conversations escalating or shutting down.
Conversations about substance use don’t have to be a single “big talk.” At The Ross Center, we encourage parents to have ongoing, open, and curious conversations that shift as children get older.
To support these conversations, I created a brief handout, Talking with Your Child About Substance Use, with practical guidance for navigating these topics.
It focuses on practical strategies such as:
- Staying grounded
- Leading with curiosity rather than blame
- Focusing on behavior, not character
- Understanding the function of the behavior
- Pairing validation with clear boundaries
- Recognizing warning signs
- Keeping the door open
Talking about substances in open, supportive conversations helps you stay connected to your child and understand how they are coping. These conversations help your child feel heard while guiding them toward safer choices.
You can download the full handout HERE: Talking with Your Child About Substance Use